In Dubuque, a typical home is worth $204,800 and typical rent is $948 a month. Compared with all of Dubuque County, typical household income is 15% lower, the typical home value is 14% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 8 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $191,610 to $247,824.
Typical rent
$1,073a month
▲ 4.3% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, December 2021 to September 2026: from $794 to $1,073.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Dubuque is in Dubuque County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Dubuque County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Maquoketa, the typical home value is $132,500: 35% less than in Dubuque ($204,800).
2
Nearby, in Maquoketa, the typical rent is $795: 16% less than in Dubuque ($948).
3
The typical household income in Dubuque is $65,845,15% less than in Dubuque County as a whole ($77,630).
4
66% of households in Dubuque own their home, against 73% in Dubuque County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Dubuque
What homes there are in Dubuque, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Dubuque
Dubuque County
Iowa
United States
Kind of home: Dubuque and its comparisons
Measure
Dubuque
Dubuque County
Iowa
United States
Detached house
63%
71%
72%
61%
Attached house
4%
4%
5%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
12%
9%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
18%
13%
14%
19%
Mobile home
3%
3%
3%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
The detached house is still the most common home in Dubuque, but it weighs less than in Dubuque County: 63% against 71%.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Dubuque
Dubuque County
Iowa
United States
Year built: Dubuque and its comparisons
Measure
Dubuque
Dubuque County
Iowa
United States
Before 1960
46%
37%
38%
26%
1960–1979
27%
26%
24%
24%
1980–1999
13%
15%
17%
25%
2000–2009
7%
11%
11%
14%
2010 or later
7%
11%
11%
11%
The typical home in Dubuque was built in 1963, 7 years before the typical one in Dubuque County.
There are fewer big homes in Dubuque than in Dubuque County: 58% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 67%.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limit
Under $100K12%
$100K–$200K36%
$200K–$300K31%
$300K–$500K16%
$500K–$750K3%
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1M1%
$1M or more1%
Value of owner-occupied homes: Dubuque and its comparisons
Measure
Dubuque
Under $100K
12%
$100K–$200K
36%
$200K–$300K
31%
$300K–$500K
16%
$500K–$750K
3%
$750K–$1M
1%
$1M or more
1%
The FHA loan limit for Dubuque County is $541,287, and about 95% of owner-occupied homes in Dubuque are worth less than that.
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $5007%
$500–$99950%
$1,000–$1,49932%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $1,131
$1,500–$1,9999%
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Dubuque and its comparisons
Measure
Dubuque
Under $500
7%
$500–$999
50%
$1,000–$1,499
32%
$1,500–$1,999
9%
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
Measured against HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,131), about 65% of rented homes in Dubuque cost less.
With a mortgage
$1,388 a month
Dubuque County: $1,562 a month
Without a mortgage
$638 a month
Dubuque County: $645 a month
Owners with a mortgage
64%
Dubuque County: 62%
In Dubuque, 64% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,388 a month, against $1,562 in Dubuque County. Without one it drops to $638.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Dubuque+43%
Dubuque County+42%
Iowa+41%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Dubuque+20%
Dubuque County+23%
Iowa+23%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Dubuque+21%
Dubuque County+23%
Iowa+24%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Dubuque and its comparisons
Measure
Dubuque
Dubuque County
Iowa
United States
Typical home value
+43%
+42%
+41%
+53%
Typical rent
+20%
+23%
+23%
+33%
Typical household income
+21%
+23%
+24%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, home values in Dubuque rose at about the same pace as in Dubuque County: 43% against 42%.
Rents in Dubuque rose at about the same pace as in Dubuque County: 20% since 2015–2019, against 23%.
While home values in Dubuque changed +43% and rent +20%, the typical household income rose 21%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Dubuque and its comparisons
Measure
Dubuque
Dubuque County
Iowa
United States
Rental vacancy
2.5%
2.1%
5.7%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.8%
0.9%
More than one person per room
1.7%
1.6%
1.6%
3.4%
People per household
2.12
2.31
2.36
2.53
Drive alone
77%
79%
76%
69%
Carpool
6%
5%
8%
9%
Public transit
1%
1%
1%
3%
Walk or bike
3%
3%
3%
3%
Work from home
12%
12%
11%
15%
Other means
1%
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
10 to 19 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
In Dubuque, the rental vacancy rate is 2.5%, about the same as in Dubuque County.
In Dubuque, 1.7% of households live with more than one person per room, about the same as in Dubuque County.
On average, a household in Dubuque has 2.12 people, fewer than in Dubuque County (2.31).
To get to work, 77% of workers in Dubuque drive alone; in Dubuque County, 79%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Dubuque?
A typical home is tight for the typical income
We start with a typical home in Dubuque, worth $204,800, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 32% of the typical household income in Dubuque, which is $65,845 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $75,503 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Dubuque County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Dubuque. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $7,168 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$1,762
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$201,091
Total interest
$289,322
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $3,459 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,536 a month
Tight
$1,536 to $1,975 a month
Your payment · 32%
Hard
more than $1,975 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Dubuque ($65,845 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,362
Property tax
$224
Home insurance
$85
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$91
You need at least $7,168 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $1,762; principal and interest $1,362.
The city and its county
Dubuque and Dubuque County
Dubuque is in Dubuque County, Iowa. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Dubuque
Map of Dubuque County, Iowa, with Dubuque marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Dubuque
Dubuque County
Other cities with a page
Dubuque's own numbers
Typical home value
$204,800
Typical monthly rent
$948
Typical yearly household income
$65,845
Households that own their home
66%
Effective property tax rate
1.31%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Dubuque County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,131
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+44%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Dubuque County.
A typical home in Dubuque is worth $204,800: 14% below the county and about the same as Iowa. With the typical household income in Dubuque ($65,845 a year), a typical home costs 3.1 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Dubuque3.1 years
County3.1 years
Iowa2.8 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Dubuque County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Dubuque County rose 67% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Dubuque County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Dubuque County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +3.4% +3.4% 2016
2017: +3.2% +3.2% 2017
2018: +2.8% +2.8% 2018
2019: +3.5% +3.5% 2019
2020: +1.9% +1.9% 2020
2021: +7.1% +7.1% 2021
2022: +13.1% +13.1% 2022
2023: +5.8% +5.8% 2023
2024: +7.0% +7.0% 2024
2025: +5.2% +5.2% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Dubuque County, Iowa and the United States
Period
County
Iowa
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+5.2%
+3.2%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+44%
+41%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+67%
+65%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Dubuque next to Dubuque County, Iowa and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Dubuque$204,800
County$237,300
Iowa$208,000
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Dubuque$948
County$959
Iowa$972
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Dubuque$65,845
County$77,630
Iowa$75,059
United States$80,734
See the full table
Dubuque next to Dubuque County and Iowa
Measure
Dubuque
Dubuque County
Iowa
U.S.
Typical home value
$204,800 ▼14% below the county
$237,300
$208,000
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$948
$959
$972
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$65,845 ▼15% below the county
$77,630
$75,059
$80,734
Households that own their home
66% ▼8 points below the county
73%
72%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$2,682 ▼8% below the county
$2,919
$2,897
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.31% ▲0.08 points above the county
1.23%
1.39%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
49% ▲3 points above the county
46%
44%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Dubuque County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Dubuque
For a typical $204,800 home in Dubuque, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Dubuque's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,762a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$7,168
Cash to close
$13,312
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $91
Conventional, 5% down$1,724a month
Down payment
$10,240
Cash to close
$16,384
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $97
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,419a month
Down payment
$40,960
Cash to close
$47,104
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,608a month
Down payment
$30,720
Cash to close
$36,864
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Dubuque
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,762
$7,168
$201,091
7.18%
FHA MIP · $91
$13,312
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,724
$10,240
$194,560
7.18%
PMI · $97
$16,384
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,419
$40,960
$163,840
7.18%
None
$47,104
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,608
$30,720
$174,080
8.18%
None
$36,864
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Dubuque is $948 a month: about the same as the county. In Dubuque, 49% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Dubuque County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,131 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $21.75 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Dubuque County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$788
$15.15
$31,520
1 bedroom
$891
$17.13
$35,640
2 bedrooms
$1,131
$21.75
$45,240
3 bedrooms
$1,516
$29.15
$60,640
4 bedrooms
$1,865
$35.87
$74,600
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Dubuque
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Dubuque has 3 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,120 in 52003 to $1,250 in 52002.
2 of the 3 are above the fair market rent for Dubuque County ($1,131).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each of the 3 ZIP codes of Dubuque, beside the one for Dubuque County. For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,120 in 52003 to $1,250 in 52002. 2 of the 3 are above the fair market rent for Dubuque County ($1,131).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each ZIP code
Each line is one ZIP code: in color, those above the county's fair market rent; in gray, the rest.
County: $1,131
Lowest: $1,120 (52003)Highest: $1,250 (52002)
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Dubuque, fiscal year 2027.
52001
$790
$900
$1,140
$1,530
$1,880
52002
$870
$980
$1,250
$1,680
$2,060
52003
$780
$880
$1,120
$1,500
$1,850
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
52001 $1,140$1,530
52002 $1,250$1,680
52003 $1,120$1,500
3 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Dubuque when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There are 2 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Dubuque County; 1 says it serves in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Dubuque or Dubuque County. The ones below are statewide in Iowa: they work in Dubuque the same as in the rest of the state.
With the Iowa state authority's FirstHome mortgage, a first-time buyer can get a second loan of up to 3% of the price (maximum $10,000) or up to 5% (maximum $15,000), with no monthly payments, repaid when you sell, refinance or pay off the mortgage.Offered by Iowa Finance Authority (IFA).
Iowa state authority second loan, with the Homes for Iowans mortgage, of up to 3% of the price (maximum $10,000) or 5% (maximum $15,000) for the down payment and closing costs; no monthly payments, and for any buyer.Offered by Iowa Finance Authority (IFA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Dubuque or Dubuque County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Dubuque and all of Dubuque County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Dubuque?
The typical home value in Dubuque is $204,800, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Dubuque County it is $237,300.
How much does it cost to rent in Dubuque?
Typical rent in Dubuque is $948 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Dubuque County is $1,131.
What is the FHA loan limit in Dubuque?
Dubuque uses the FHA limit for all of Dubuque County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Dubuque?
The typical homeowner in Dubuque pays $2,682 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.31% of the home’s value; in Dubuque County, the rate is 1.23%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Dubuque?
There are 2 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Dubuque County. 1 says it serves in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
